As I sat waiting for the windscreen to defrost at 5:40 AM the temperature in Chelmsford was -6 degrees C. By the time I got to Brentwood at 6:00 AM it was -7.5 degrees C. However when the darkness finally receded by 7:30 AM there was a clear blue sky and the rising sun. The reason for mentioning temperatures is partly to demonstrates the extreme bravery of 19 members who came to our final meeting of the year equipped with Secret Santa presents and in anticipation of the Brian Painter experience. There was also an additional distraction of the business networking bingo produced by Scott Griffiths.
The Performance League
Terry Maylin is well out front followed by Paul Booth and Matt Barry. Remember, whatever you record electronically during the forthcoming week will provide the final figures for the month, so remember to record any referrals and monies received.
Education Presentation
Ben Golding had no intention of letting any other members steal his thunder for the last Ed Slot of the year. Time spent with a complicit niece at the weekend watching the Christmas friendly ‘Polar Express’ provided a festive simile of the importance of self-belief which he translated Into our business lives. Whilst re affirming my irritation at Christmas movies I do appear to be in a minority of one.
The 60 Second Round
The round was understandably an outpouring of thanks and gratitude between the members, coupled with the rather clever attempt by some of us to weave all of the words on our bingo sheet into presentation. It kind of degenerated from there. Paul Dulieu, was in his full Father Christmas regalia including white curly beard and shoe covers that mimicked boots. At his last meeting with us, we all appreciated the discomfort he felt as the only hot person in the room. We wish him well in his career progression.
Although a good time was had by all in this round no one is really worthy of mention save for Ben Golding who had crafted an intricate poem celebrating the virtues of Utility Warehouse. Brian Painter was adjudicating the Oscar and quite rightly gave it to him……. There now began the Brian Painter show.
The Christmas Quiz Experience
Brian took centre stage and took us through a series of outlandish questions coupled with intervals of Secret Santa present distribution. Coming off the back of a successful and well organised Christmas dinner on Tuesday evening it was Brian’s time. We extend our thanks and admiration for both the dinner and the latter part of our meeting which gave a suitable backdrop for gentle inter-member abuse.
I have decided to give myself a break this week from the full blog and simply confine myself to winding up this year with my thanks to all members for their contributions to our group which seems to become ever more enjoyable from one meeting to another.
What a lovely way to end the EBF year – well done all for your attendance and well done Brian on a very tame but fiendish quiz, thanks for the present Santa and best wishes to Paul Dulieu and to Ben with his op.
Sorry I couldn’t be with you this morning due to my personal situation. It looms like you had a lot of fun. See you in the new year. Good luck little Paul
Thinking of you Vince
What an awesome last meeting of 2022!! Such fun with the Brian Painter Experience!!
I’m glad Paul D – aka Santa- won the quiz! Leaving the meeting in style!! Paul – you’ll definitely be missed!! Wishing you all the best for the future!!
See you next year once I’ve recovered from my op!
Merry Christmas everyone 🎅🏼 🎄🥳
Merry Christmas all x
Merry Christmas to you all!
Great way to end the year. Good luck Paul D and happy Christmas to you all xx
A happy way to end the term, plenty of fun and laughter. Sorry to see you leave, Paul, we wish you well. Good luck with the op Ben, Ben, I hope it all goes well. The last time I was in hospital after a week I took a turn for the nurse Finally, thank you, Aidan for all the blogs throughout the year they kept us amused and reminded me of what I said so that I didn’t repeat it the following week!
Great meeting – I love a Christmas themed quiz….
Good to see y’all – have a great one!
I enjoyed my sandwich and was really sorry I had to leave early. Scott gave me a message from my son saying I had a burst pipe. I would love to have been there longer. Wish you all a happy Christmas and New year
Great meeting and year because of the great people involved, much more than just a Business Networking event.
Have a great Christmas and New Year and if anyone starts to suffer from the New Year Blues, just remember, we have Mike Rogers to cheer us all up with his 10 minutes on our return.